hold interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hold interest' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb phrase that means to sustain or maintain interest in something. For example, "The documentary held my interest from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This has allowed central banks to hold interest rates at historically low levels.

The Economist

Her command of the action-adventure idiom is more than enough to hold interest.

The New York Times - Books

Policy makers also renewed their pledge to hold interest rates "exceptionally low" for an "extended period".

The New York Times

This led them to hold interest rates at a 41-year low both times.

The New York Times

Limited inflation has helped the Federal Reserve hold interest rates at a 41-year low.

The New York Times

Many economists and investors believe the central bankers will hold interest rates steady.

The New York Times

The central bank also announced it would hold interest rates at their record-low level of 0.75 percent.

The New York Times

In London on Thursday, Britain's central bank, the Bank of England, also decided to hold interest rates steady.

The New York Times

To the extent that foreign investors are helping hold interest rates low and stock prices high, that's helping the consumer".

The New York Times

That is, it imagines what will happen if countries that need to hold interest rates low do so; and those that should cut deficits slowly do so.

The Economist

We shouldn't hold interest rates higher than they need to be in order to impose additional cost on borrowers to teach lenders a lesson.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you aim to "hold interest", use concrete examples and relatable anecdotes to enhance understanding and maintain audience attention.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "hold interest"; diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "maintain attention" or "sustain engagement" to add nuance to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold interest" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to describe the act of maintaining someone's attention or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold interest" is a versatile verb phrase that means to sustain or maintain attention. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While synonyms like "maintain attention" and "sustain engagement" exist, "hold interest" remains a common and effective choice. To enhance your writing, consider employing varied sentence structures and vivid language, and avoid overusing the phrase by diversifying your vocabulary. By employing these writing practices, you can keep your audience engaged with your content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain attention

Focuses on sustaining attention over time, slightly more formal.

sustain engagement

Highlights the active participation and involvement aspect.

capture imagination

Emphasizes sparking interest and creativity.

keep someone hooked

Suggests a strong and compelling level of interest.

retain audience

Specifically refers to keeping an audience interested.

grip attention

Implies a firm hold on someone's interest.

enthrall viewers

Suggests a captivating and fascinating effect.

pique curiosity

Focuses on arousing interest or inquisitiveness.

stir interest

Implies creating or generating interest.

excite passions

Highlights intense feelings of interest or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "hold interest" in a sentence?

You can use "hold interest" to describe something that maintains someone's attention, like, "The speaker's engaging style helped to "hold interest" throughout the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "hold interest"?

Some alternatives to "hold interest" include "maintain attention", "sustain engagement", or "capture imagination".

What does it mean to "hold interest" in the context of finance?

In finance, "hold interest" often refers to central banks maintaining interest rates at a specific level, as in, "The Federal Reserve decided to "hold interest" rates steady".

Is it better to say "hold interest" or "maintain interest"?

Both "hold interest" and "maintain interest" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "maintain interest" may sound slightly more formal in some contexts.